What parents need to know

A super-positive message to girls about being self-reliant and independent.

Positive role models

The song is about respecting yourself and making your dreams come true.

Violence

Not applicable

Sex

Not applicable

Language

Not applicable

Consumerism

Not applicable

Drinking, drugs, & smoking

One mild reference to drinking: "Have me raise a glass for the college grads."

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that "Run the World (Girls)" is an exceptionally positive song that encourages girls to believe in themselves and their ability to stand on their own. It includes no sexual references or graphic language and only one fleeting mention of drinking ("Have me raise a glass for the college grads"). The song is a great choice for tweens and teens.

User reviews

Parents say

Kids say

What's the story?

RUN THE WORLD (GIRLS) is a single by uber-famous R&B singer Beyonce that's all about positive girl power. The song focuses on telling girls not to underestimate themselves, but rather to harness their inner strength and skills to make their own dreams come true. There's no profanity or adult content, aside from one mild reference to drinking: "Have me raise a glass to all the college grads." It's exactly the kind of tune that parents would want impressionable young girls to hear.

Is it any good?

QUALITY

Musically, "Run the World (Girls)" borrows heavily from the rap/R&B sound espoused by peers like Nicki Minaj: somewhat frenzied arrangements featuring high-pitched, Auto-Tuned vocals and lots of rat-a-tat beats. It's a 180 from former Beyonce tracks that showcase her powerhouse vocals first and foremost, but those who prefer the new approach won't be able to get enough of the single.

Families can talk about...

Families can talk about the lessons young girls can take from Beyonce's real life, which mirrors her message in these lyrics.

Why aren't there more female-empowerment anthems? Can you think of some others?

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About Our Rating System

The age displayed for each title is the minimum one for which it's developmentally appropriate. We recently updated all of our reviews to show only this age, rather than the multi-color "slider." Get more information about our ratings.

Are we talking about the same song?

Did CSM and parents not notice the "N" word? Before that... "Girls, we run this motha..." (I'm guessing -fukka), yet sex and language don't even show up in their rating??? My 15 yr. old son wanted to look up the video on YouTube. I perceive BK to be a defiant, even angry woman who wants to get back at anyone who tells her what to do. Be what you want girls (anything you want) but don't let a scantily clad oversexed woman tell you how to change the world, just go do it yourself in a more positive way!

Who wrote the main review? Girls!

Very mediocre song, and the main review for this song is extremely biased. If it had been "Who run the world? Boys!" people would be preaching hate towards misogynistic men and discussing the song's "negative tones" here.

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